Hi, I’m on Windows 10 at home and Windows 11 at work. I’m going to migrate to Linux for my next PC (might eventually do it on this one, though I’ve currently done so many tweaks that I intend to keep this for gaming for now). Our two laptops and mini-PC already run Linux Mint, but I digress… (I just don’t want anyone to think I’m totally unaware of the problems with Windows and Microsoft.)

My uses for a webcam are:

  • Streaming with friends (sharing games and video feed, playing Jackbox games, chatting, etc.)

  • Playing Magic the Gathering via Spelltable (so it needs to be able to be positioned facing my playmat and good enough quality to detect the cards)

  • Video call with family and friends

  • Occasional use for presenting professional webinars (during occasions when I have to work from home)

  • Occasionally pre-recording work-related content that will be publicly viewable

  • Use with OBS virtual camera

At work, I use a Logitech camera that my employer provided me with OBS software. It’s an older model, but I’m not sure of model number or anything off the top of my head. It’s not the best, and I’d like something a bit better at home.

At home, I was using a similar Logitech camera, but a year ago I decided to upgrade and purchased the Razer Kiyo Pro. What a mistake! Every time this camera gets plugged in, it prompts me to install Razer Synapse. It even puts the installer directly on my hard drive without my permission!

I’ve saved up a bit, and I’d like to try again with a different camera, one that doesn’t push its proprietary software on me. I was considering Logitech, but iirc Logi’s newer models also do the same thing. Or is this wrong?

Either way, I’d be so grateful if someone could recommend a reasonably high quality budget camera in the ~$100 range. I could go up to maybe $125, but after that it would start to really hurt.

I’ve done a lot of searching myself, but it turns out it’s pretty hard to find a camera that doesn’t either require or constantly push its proprietary software, and apparently some people [checks notes] like the proprietary software being shoved at them???

Anyway, I’d be so thankful if you could help. This community helped me so much before when I needed a modem and router to escape the clutches of my IP, so I thought maybe someone would have some advice.

  • aksdb@feddit.deEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    I bought one of those arms you can attach to the desk and then position as necessary. They have a standard ISO mount you can use for cams, microphones, etc… I also attached my normal webcam to it before. No I have a smartphone mount (this one, to be precise) on it.

    • Mario_Dies.wav@lemmy.dbzer0.comOPEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      What is the normal webcam you use? I really think a normal webcam would be best for me vs. using an old phone. There must be a camera that’s just plug and play that doesn’t do what this Razer does.

      • aksdb@feddit.deEnglish
        2·
        11 months ago

        It was a Logitech C922. It’s a piece of shit though. A bit less than other webcams I had, but I can’t even properly key out my greenscreen if the lighting in the room is not 100% perfect. With the smartphone cam it works even with completly shitty lighting.

        The only webcam I would have somewhat hope in would be the Obsbot Tiny 2, but €350 is too much for something I can solve with an old smartphone. (Also I don’t need 70% of the features of the obsbot tiny; I mainly want a good sensor and image processing.)

        • Mario_Dies.wav@lemmy.dbzer0.comOPEnglish
          1·
          11 months ago

          Ok, ok! I’ll give the smartphone a whirl. I have nothing to lose.

          I’ve got an old Samsung S8+ that I use as an mp3 player sometimes when I don’t want to be reachable by phone. I can try it, and if it works for me, I’ll look into a good mount. Maybe I’ll be able to find one that works with my existing scissor arm I’ve been using for my webcam.

          Does it seem to you that hardware has gotten worse the past 5 years? I feel like there are fewer decent options now than we had in the past. Enshittification hits hardware too, I suppose.

          • aksdb@feddit.deEnglish
            2·
            11 months ago

            I don’t think it got worse. At least in regards to webcams. It looks more like that for many years they essentially re-used the same sensors in different cams and didn’t really evolve. Which always seemed weird, given that smartphone with fantastic sensors have been around for ages now - with lenses which are likely even smaller than what a webcam would be able to allow. Only the relatively recent home office trend has brought some change. But so far it still doesn’t look too good.